Yay, finally got my copy of Midnight Sun and read it. Edward certainly has a lot to say, but we'd been expecting that, right?

Thank you so much, Fran, my wonderful beta, for not giving up on me and for making my story clean and bright.

All mistakes are mine.

Chapter-22

The days passed slowly. Bella and I talked on the phone every night, and though it felt good, it only served to build up the anticipation. Sometimes I berated myself as a selfish ass, but then Bella would tell me how much she was looking forward to spending time with me, and my guilt would evaporate.

Finally, the day arrived when Bella's cast was to be removed. Carlisle had assured me he would be at the hospital with her, as would be Esme. As far as he understood, there was no reason Bella's arm wouldn't be in good condition. Still, I was on tenterhooks until I got a call from Bella after the procedure.

I think everyone in my office noticed how antsy I was and how many times I glanced at my phone, even checking it to see it wasn't on silent mode. I got quite a few curious glances and a friendly inquiry from Emmett if everything was all right.

When it rang, I fumbled while picking it up and almost dropped it. After a bit of juggling from one hand to another, I managed to answer it, reminding myself to breathe.

However, Bella's sweet voice on the other end immediately calmed me. She sounded genuinely happy to have the cast off, and she was eager to visit me.

She assured me twice, or maybe thrice, that her arm had healed very well.

"It's as good as new, Edward. You can see it for yourself tomorrow."

Carlisle had a word with me as well, reassuring me with his doctor's advice.

"It's slightly paler and weaker than the right arm, of course, but that's normal. A few exercises will take care of the stiffness and help it regain its strength. All right?"

I thanked him, feeling relieved. Carlisle always had this way of making people comfortable. I suppose being a doctor had something to do with that, but I also believed it was an innate quality, to make people feel they could trust him.

He passed the phone to Bella again, who informed me that she and Esme would see me for lunch the next day, after her appointment with Doctor Hale. Not that there was any doubt, but the confirmation definitely put me in a good mood.

The next morning, I got up early, considering it was my day off. I cleaned the apartment, checked the fridge and the kitchen for groceries, and made a quick trip for fresh fruits, vegetables, and yogurt. I also got a few snacks and chocolates, in case Bella wanted to munch on something while watching movies or something. I had no fixed plan about her stay with me, except showing her some landmarks of Seattle and taking her out to dinner at a nice restaurant.

Well, there was something else I wanted to do, but that was completely up to her. Even though she had repeatedly told me she wanted us to be together, I would follow her lead, just in case she changed her mind.

If Bella said she was not ready, I would never pressure her, even though it might kill me.

Please, God, let her be ready, and not want to wait.

I reached Doctor Hale's office a few minutes before Bella's session was over. Esme smiled and hugged me, and I thanked her for accompanying Bella to the appointment, especially as she wasn't going back with her.

She shrugged it off. "Of course, I wasn't going to send her here alone, Edward. She has barely recovered from her ordeal physically, let alone emotionally. She tries to be brave; you know? But I have noticed she is happier when she has company."

I nodded in agreement. "That's understandable. She has been alone since…well, forever. Except for a little affection from the family who owned the diner, and maybe her boyfriend. Still, I feel selfish for having troubled you—"

Esme laughed outright. "Troubled me? Edward, it's no trouble for me to look after Bella. I love that girl, and I want her to be happy, the same way I want you to be happy. Tell me, will it trouble you to bring her back to Forks when her stay is over?" A raised brow emphasized her question.

"No, of course not," I shook my head. "But I am the one who wants Bella to stay here, so—"

I cut off, realizing how that sounded. My face heated as Esme started giggling.

Seemed Alice had influenced both Bella and Esme where laughing at me was concerned!

Before I could backtrack, Bella came out of the therapy room. As soon as she looked at me, her eyes lit up.

I am sure mine did too. I knew for sure I was smiling.

"Edward!"

She rushed into my arms without hesitation, wrapping her own around my waist, and I forgot there were other people around. I took a deep breath, closing my eyes and smelling her hair.

"I've been wanting to do this for weeks now," she murmured.

I lifted my head, puzzled. "What do you—oh, you mean—"

Her smile was full of joy. "Yes, with both my arms. Isn't this wonderful? I can use my left arm again!"

Her happiness made me laugh. "It's definitely wonderful. Now, let me have a look at your arm, okay?"

Bella stepped back and swung her arm front and back. "See? All good."

"Carlisle said you will need to exercise it but be careful—"

That got me an eye-roll. Judging by her expression, she had already gotten a lecture from my uncle.

Esme confirmed it as we went to lunch.

"No need to worry, Edward. Bella's arm is just fine, and Carlisle has made sure she takes good care of it."

I exhaled, relieved.

"I just don't want to take a chance, you know? Hurt her or anything—"

My aunt got a mischievous look in her eyes.

"Why? Are you planning to wrestle with her or something?"

I gaped at her. Did she just insinuate—

But Esme was on a roll.

"Maybe you want her to do your laundry? Bedcovers can be heavy—"

"Aunty!"

"What?" Her face was the picture of innocence. "I'm just saying—"

"We're not having this conversation," I insisted as Bella shook her head, her face red with trying to suppress laughter. "Let's change the topic and order our food."

I loved my aunt, but right then I wanted her gone, and as soon as possible.

-Analogous-

After Esme left, I asked Bella what she wanted to do, naming all the attractions of the city.

"Oh, can we go to the aquarium first, please?" she asked, eyes sparkling with happiness. "I have always wanted to see the sea creatures there, but never had the opportunity."

I agreed, of course. Her innocent happiness was contagious, and I found myself smiling and looking forward to the visit. Even though I had been there, going with Bella would be different, better.

It was, much better.

Bella was like a little kid, her eyes wide as she took in the magnificence of the ocean life surrounding us. The many varieties of the flora and the fauna, and the sizes and the colors, were truly staggering. From the tiny plankton to the eight-feet-long Big Skate, from the hordes of pretty, glowing jellyfish to the sedate hermit crab, the many wonders of the sea surrounded us.

It was wonderful to see her enthusiasm as we strolled from one exhibit to another. As she held my hand, sometimes urging me to move, sometimes squeezing it as she turned to me with sparkling eyes, her words tumbling over one another, exclaiming at the beauty of sea anemones or marveling over the vibrant tide pool ecosystem, I noticed more than one person smile at her. How could they not? Her enthusiasm was infectious.

I was sure I hadn't enjoyed visiting a place as much since I was a child and had gone to Disneyland with my parents.

I wondered if Bella would enjoy Disney, or would she consider it childish.

Maybe we could go with our children—

Wait, what? Where did that come from?

As usual, I was putting the cart before the horse.

Was I, though? Yes, it all would depend on Bella, but I knew what I wanted.

Okay, time to stop daydreaming and come back to the present.

Bella fell in love with the sea otters, so I bought a pink, sea otter plushie for her from the gift shop. She protested at first, but then hugged it to herself and thanked me, adding it was the first soft toy she'd ever possessed.

Her confession broke my heart a little, but her wide smile uplifted me. I had done something to make her happy.

After spending almost two hours inside the huge dome, we emerged to the weak winter sunshine.

"So, what do you want to do now?" I asked Bella. "There's the Pike Place Market nearby, and of course, the Chihuly Garden merits a visit…"

She opened her mouth, to answer I suppose, but yawned instead.

"I'm so sorry," she said, clearly embarrassed. "It's just that I woke up quite early this morning; I guess I was too excited. And then, it was a long drive to Seattle—"

"Hey, it's okay," I assured her, taking her hand in mine. "We can do whatever we like; the city will still be there tomorrow. Do you want to go home and take a nap? Or we can have a snack and coffee first? Whatever you think best."

"You really don't mind?" Bella asked, looking at me with worry-clouded eyes, her teeth pressing down on her bottom lip.

What kind of life had she led where she had to worry about people's reactions all the time?

"Not at all, sweetheart." I pulled her close and kissed her lightly, freeing her poor lip in the process. "I want you to enjoy your stay with me. It's completely up to you how you enjoy it. So, tell me, what do you want to do?"

"Can we go home for now? I'm sure I'll regain my energy after a nap. Then, maybe we can go out for a little while?"

I smiled. "That's more like it. Yes, we can definitely go out later on. I was planning to take you to a nice restaurant for dinner, anyway. Just let me know what you are in the mood for, and we will choose accordingly."

"Okay."

-Analogous-

She actually nodded off in the car, proving how tired she must have been. When we reached home and I woke her up, it took her a moment to collect her bearings as she shook her head and looked around.

I opened her door and offered her my hand. She accepted it, blushing a delicate pink.

"Welcome home, Bella."

She smiled shyly, and the blush darkened.

I hoped it was because she liked the idea of being in my home, not because it made her uncomfortable.

"It's not much," I said as we entered the apartment, realizing suddenly how…sparse it might seem to her, especially after living in Esme's well-planned, nicely decorated house. "Um, I know I have lived here for a few years, but somehow I've never got around to adding…stuff."

Stuff? That's what you have to say, Edward? Couldn't you have explained it better?

Luckily, my adolescent vocabulary didn't seem to faze Bella.

"There's certainly plenty of space if you want to add furniture or knick-knacks, but I like it as it is," she commented as she took in everything. "The colors are soothing, and the view is nice."

"Yes, I lucked out with the view," I agreed as we moved to the row of windows in the living room.

Living in a high rise did have its advantages, I thought. Being on the twelfth floor meant I got a fair amount of sunshine, that is, when the sun deigned to shine over our usually cloudy city. At any rate, I got plenty of daylight, and being able to see the sky and the greenery, the vehicles on the roads without being bothered with the traffic noise, and the river far away…it certainly gave one some tranquility in the midst of a bustling city.

I stood behind Bella as she looked out from the window, my arms instinctively going around her trim waist. As she leaned back, I bent my head to drop kisses on her neck.

Her breath hitched. "Edward."

God, she smelled good.

"Hmm."

I was completely lost in the sensation of soft, warm skin.

"Edward." She wiggled a bit, and I remembered she wanted to sleep. And here I was, pestering her again.

I let her go instantly, stepping back and apologizing.

"I'm so sorry, Bella. I'm keeping you from your rest. Come, I will show you the guest room."

She turned so that she was facing me. Her eyes looked sleepy, but her smile made my heart beat fast.

"Edward," she murmured. "I don't want to sleep right now."

A.N.: Haha, she doesn't want to sleep right now. So, what should happen? Dinner first, or dessert? ;)

Esme found a way to tease Edward!

Take care, my sweet readers.