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In this chapter you will get to see me Bella and Esme time, hope you like it.
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"Bella…" The voice was back...no, it was an actual girl this time. "Bella," she said again. "You have to run. Edward will ruin you. He doesn't love you."
"Love…Edward," I said, sounding almost unsure. "I love Edward," I said again, more firmly this time.
"I love you so much," Edward said as I smiled at him.
"You don't love her! Love is not kidnapping! Love is not locking someone in the closet! Love is not making people forget who they are!" the other girl screamed.
"Shut your mouth!" Edward yelled as I flinched back from him.
"No! Fuck you, Edward Cullen!" she yelled. "You don't want her; you want a shell of her," the girl cried.
It broke my heart to see her cry. I wanted to go to her and make sure she was okay. I went to move toward her, but Edward stopped me by wrapping his arms around me like a vice.
"Always remember Bella," the girl begged. "Charlie Swan is your father; he is evil, but he is still your father. You grew up in Portland, Oregon. You are Bella Swan! Edward kidnapped you," the girl cried reaching out for me.
My eyes welled with tears as my hand went to her, and just as our fingers touched, Edward yelled.
"No! Don't listen to her!" he screamed as he carried me by the waist away from the girl. "This is what happens when you're bad."
I saw it coming.
"No!" I yelled. "No!"
No was the only word I could say as the door closed and bathed me in the darkness once more.
"Edward!" I yelled as I sat straight up, gasping for air.
My body had broken out in a cold sweat, and I fumbled with the comforter for a moment, trying to get to Edward's side of the bed.
"What!" he asked, panicked as he sat up in bed.
I saw his eyes wide in surprise, and I immediately jumped out of bed and stood beside him.
"Baby, what's wrong?" he asked again.
"I don't want to go in the closest. I just wanted to make sure the girl was okay. I didn't mean it," I rambled breathlessly.
Edward looked confused for a moment, which just caused me to wring my hands in nervousness. What in the hell just happened?
"Bella, it was just a dream," Edward said, moving over the bed toward me.
"I'm sorry…I'm so, so, so, sorry," I said as I cried into my hands.
"Come here, Baby," he said smoothly.
"No closet, right?" I asked as I made my way back to the bed.
"No, Baby; it was just a dream," he repeated, taking my hand and pulling me back into bed.
I exhaled shakily and lay back down next to him as he held me tight.
"Do you want to talk about it?"
Did I? A part of me wanted to tell him everything - to ask what it all meant? But the other part of me could still remember the darkness of the closet…the panic I had as the door shut behind me. Would Edward be mad at me for a nightmare that I had no control over? And why was I dreaming about Charlie? Why would that girl want me to remember the one person who never loved me? All I could see now was Edward. All I needed remember was Edward. Sometimes it was like there was this black gap where my memories should have been. And what I could remember was so hazy that it was hard to tell if it was real or not.
"No…I don't even remember it now," I lied.
Something told me that if I told him my nightmare, it would end badly for me. It was just best to forget about it and hope that it never happened again. Charlie was nonexistent in my life I hated him. I was just going to tell myself that he was just someone that my mind made up.
"That happens," he said with a yawn. "I'm here and you're safe."
"I know," I whispered, closing my eyes.
I felt Edward's grasp on me loosen, and I knew that he was asleep once more. I willed my tears to remain at bay as I fought down the wave of guilt that was pressing on my chest. I shouldn't have lied to him, and I knew that somehow he was going to find out. Nothing ever got by Edward, and I had come to find out that it was always better to be up front with him rather than letting him find out from another source.
Tomorrow, I vowed. I would tell him tomorrow.
I felt like I had just fallen asleep when I felt myself being shaken awake.
"Bella, it's time to wake up," a woman's voice said.
I sat up quickly, almost pulling my arm out of socket. I gasped in pain and looked up to see that I was cuffed to the bed again. I quickly looked around and saw Esme standing beside me, smiling down at me.
"You scared me, I'm sorry," I said as she undid the cuff.
"It's quite alright," she said sympathetically. "Edward said you had a rough night."
I nodded my head and looked down, surprised when she sat beside me.
"Here, let me see your wrist," she said gently, holding out her hand.
Too shocked to say anything, I simply held out both of my wrists, unsure of the one she wanted to see. I watched as she brought out a tiny white bottle of lotion and squirted some in her palm. She then proceeded to rub the lotion into my skin around the wrist that had been cuffed to the bed.
"Edward told us about your ankle," she explained. "This will help from having your skin rubbed raw."
I continued to watch in fascination as she rubbed in the soothing balm, holding onto my wrist gently. Her fingers were long and slender, and her nails were manicured perfectly. Her touch was so different from Edward's, but it was a nice different. It felt like the kind of touch a mother would have for her child.
"There," she smiled. "That should help if he cuffs you again tonight."
Still in a bit of shock from my nightmare and then her kindness, I just nodded and offered her a small smile.
"Thank you," I whispered to her before standing up and grabbing my clothes from the foot of the bed.
"You're not to take a shower this morning," Esme called after me. "Edward said you would do that tonight instead."
I frowned at the thought of not showering this morning, my mind already feeling out of whack from this minor change to our daily schedule. Then again, I was kind of relieved. I liked Esme so far, but I didn't want to have to shower in front of her. Once I finished in the bathroom, I walked back to the bedroom to see Esme making the bed.
"You didn't have to do that, Esme," I whispered, looking down, my cheeks heating up in embarrassment.
"Oh, it was no bother at all," she said happily, placing the last pillow back on the made bed. "I'm happy to help you where I can, but we do need to get a move on. I let you sleep as late as I could."
"Alright," I said slowly, leading the way out of the bedroom.
I wasn't sure what to think of my first day without Edward. Esme seemed to genuinely care about me the same way her son did, and it was new to me. But…I liked it. She reminded me of a mother figure, and I didn't realize until now just how much I wanted that. I couldn't remember having that before, and suddenly it seemed like something I wanted more than ever.
We walked in silence to the dining room, and took my seat as Esme asked. A minute later, she brought out breakfast: toast, some fresh fruit, and a cup of tea. I was happy to see that the cup wasn't full of coffee.
"Thank you," I said gratefully, waiting for her to take her seat before picking up a piece of fruit and popping it into my mouth.
We ate in silence for a few moments, and I occasionally looked up to see Esme smiling at me. I would blush and give her a timid smile in return, before looking back down at my own plate. The tension in the air was thick, and I knew that she wanted to talk, but I just didn't know what to say to her. My nightmare was still running through my mind, and my emotions were all over the place. I didn't trust myself to not burst into tears at any moment. It was like I didn't know what was real anymore.
"Would you like to talk about your dream?" Esme asked quietly.
I looked up at her sharply and saw nothing but compassion in her eyes.
"Sometimes it helps to talk through it," she offered kindly. "Then you can move past it and not let it affect you any longer."
I nodded but said nothing. It made sense, but how much could I trust her? I just knew that if it got back to Edward, he would shut me in the closet for a month. Everything about Charlie left a bad feeling in my gut, and some instinct was telling me that name was best forgotten. Even thinking the name sent a chill down my spine.
I stabbed at a piece of toast and chewed thoughtfully. Was she right? Would it help? Could she help me make sense of the nightmare?
"I think knowing about my nightmare would anger Edward," I admitted.
"Why would you think that?" she asked curiously.
"I-I don't know." I blew out a frustrated breath.
How could I explain it to her?
"I had a dream that this girl was talking to me," I said, looking at my hands. "She said Edward didn't love me. She said love wasn't kidnapping or locking someone in the closet or spanking them."
I took another deep breath and looked up to see Esme staring at me intently, her hands folded in front of her.
"But Edward has said that he does those things because he loves me, and because he wants what's best for me," I continued, more confused than ever.
Esme waited for a moment, tapping her fingernails against the table. It wasn't in agitation like I thought it would be, but more like she was thinking of the right words to say to me.
"Well first, do you believe that Edward kidnapped you?" she asked.
I opened my mouth only to close it again. Did I believe that? I couldn't remember much about how we met, only that we met when he had a convention for his job, and then he brought me back here with him. I remember Oregon, but Edward always said those details weren't important. All that mattered was that we were together and I knew he was right.
"No," I finally whispered. "Edward didn't kidnap me."
"Then that's the first thing to tell you that your dream was just a nightmare," she said gently, reaching across the table and holding my hand. "Secondly, if you are punished, it's not because Edward doesn't love you. It's because he loves you that he disciplines you. If he didn't love you, he wouldn't bother."
"But I don't like being put in the closet," I whispered, fighting back my tears.
"Then behave, silly," she laughed. "I don't like my special place either. But tell me this. When you are let out of the closet and you are back in Edward's arms, how do you feel?"
"Relieved," I answered immediately. "I know that my punishment is over and I have a new start with him when I come out. I want to be good," I said sincerely. "There's just a part of me that tries to fight him every step of the way."
Esme nodded in understanding, squeezing my hand gently in hers. "You need to push back that part of you," she advised. "Don't let that get you into trouble or make you miserable. You can have a good life here with my son, but you have to want it."
I nodded, my eyebrows furrowed. I knew she was right, and lately that little voice was practically nonexistent. If I wanted a normal life with Edward, then I needed to be good. I needed to prove to him that I was trustworthy. I needed to truly earn his love. He gave me his love so freely and without strings, and I wanted to prove to him that I was worthy of it.
"You have a special place?" I asked, shocked as what she said finally registered with me.
"Oh yes," Esme nodded. "But I haven't had to be put in there in a very long time. All you have to do is do as you're told, and you won't be put in there. Edward only wants what's best for you. Remember that."
Esme stood and cleared up the dishes from the table. I moved to help her, only for her to place her hand on my arm. "You sit. We'll talk more when I have the dishes done."
My throat clogged with emotions that I couldn't name as I nodded at her, whispering my thanks. This nightmare was weighing more heavily on my mind than it should have been, yet I couldn't seem to shake it. I was brought out of my musings as Esme sat back down at the table.
"What else happened in your dream?" she asked knowingly.
I cleared my throat and looked down at my hands. "She, the girl, said that my name was Bella Swan and that Charlie Swan was my father…"
I paused there and couldn't seem to get the rest of the dream out.
"Charlie Swan was an awful man," Esme said softly, taking my hand back in hers.
"I know. I hate him and that's what confuses me. Why would I dream about him?" I explained.
Esme pursed her lips and looked deep in thought. I liked how she didn't just say what she felt I wanted to hear, but actually took the time to get her thoughts together and gave me one hundred percent of her attention.
"Let me ask you something," she said after a few minutes. "Did you say anything in this dream?"
I nodded and squeezed her hand on instinct. "I said that I loved Edward."
"I think that's your answer, then," she said gently. "Charlie Swan never loved you. Edward is what love is. Only he knows what is best for you. Edward and you kids will be the only people you will ever need to worry about. Your name is Bella Cullen now. Bella Swan just sounds weird to me, doesn't it? Bella Cullen has such a better ring to it. I think you are putting so much focus into this dream that you are forgetting to see your reality. Edward loves you, just as you have said in person and in your subconscious. The two of you are completely normal; Carlisle and I are the same way. Spankings are a part of relationships that can even be avoided if you behave," she winked.
"So you think it was just a weird dream?" I asked, looking at her with tears in my eyes.
"Oh, Honey," she said, moving around the table and wrapping me in her arms.
I clung to her shirt and pressed my face to her neck, inhaling her perfume. Oddly enough, it was her smell that calmed my fears and relaxed my muscles.
"It was just a nightmare. Edward loves you and you love him. That's all that matters," she said, patting my hair down.
"How did you and Edward meet?" she asked as suddenly as Edward usually did.
The only difference was that when Edward asked, he had a bite to his tone. Esme, on the other hand, asked like she was genuinely curious.
"I told you yesterday," I reminded her, sniffling. "We met at his Convention."
"I just love a good love story," Esme sighed. "But it's just so much more when it is your own son. What did he say to you when you met? Did he sweep you off of your feet?"
"You don't remember begging me not to leave you?" Edward asked, appalled.
"N-no," I stuttered, shocked.
Edward chuckled and brought me closer to his side. "You were so upset when I told you that I needed to come back to Washington. You never even gave me the chance to explain that you were coming with me. That was one fit I hope to never see you throw again," he chided playfully.
"Oh," I mumbled, feeling embarrassed over throwing a temper tantrum like a child. "I'm sorry. So you had already planned on bringing me back with you anyway?" I asked.
Edward nodded and smiled at an elderly couple that we were passing on the sidewalk. "I came to your house to collect you and the last of the paperwork from your sperm donor."
I blinked at him in surprise that he was even mentioning someone from my past. My past was taboo. Forbidden. We didn't speak of it.
Edward looked down at my shocked face and placed a small kiss on the corner of my mouth. "He transferred legal guardianship of you over to me," he explained, his eyes tight. "He didn't want you anymore, and I refused to see you go into the State system. You packed your things and we left immediately after that."
"I don't remember," I admitted sadly.
"You don't need to. All that matters is that I saved you from a horrible situation. You are with me now, and we never have to be a part again."
"I remember that we had a nice time on the drive back," I offered.
Edward chuckled again as we turned the corner to the next street. It was odd to be bundled up in a jacket in June, but with all of the rain and wind, it left the air a bit chilly.
"We did," he agreed, kissing the top of my head. "And now you will finally get what you have been begging me for since we left. We'll be getting married before you go back to school."
I smiled up at him, relieved with his words. One more month until I belonged to him completely.
"I can't wait," I whispered.
"That's one way to put it," I murmured as Esme smiled.
Esme gave me one last lingering hug before pulling away and wiping at her eyes. "Okay, we need to get started on our day. You still have some reading and cleaning to do before Edward comes home."
I stood up and placed my hand on her arm, pausing her. "Thank you, Esme," I said. "My head and heart were conflicted and I felt out of sorts, but you helped me, and now I feel completely renewed. Thank you for taking the time for me."
"Oh, you sweet girl," Esme cried. "Of course. You are my daughter, my family. Please come to me anytime you need to talk."
I nodded with a promise that I would as we moved from the dining room to Edward's study.
"Here's your book," she said, picking it up from the desk and placing it in my hands. "Just three chapters today."
"Okay."
As I settled into my normal seat on the couch, I looked back to see Esme going through the bookshelf on the wall, picking out a book for herself.
"Why does he make me call myself Bella Cullen?" I asked suddenly.
"Because that's your name," she replied immediately, throwing me a smile over her shoulder.
I giggled quietly and nodded. Easy enough.
The rest of the morning seemed to fly by as we both settled into a comfortable silence and read from our books. When my three chapters were done and had I made a few notes in my notebook to help me for the essay, I set the book aside and waited until Esme finished with what she was doing.
"Are you ready to finish our day?" she asked pleasantly.
"Yes, Ma'am," I replied, standing up and stretching.
We made small talk as she guided me to the living room with instructions to do the normal, day to day chores that were expected of me. I noticed that I wasn't as tense cleaning as I was when Edward was here staring over my shoulder. Instead, Esme helped out with the dusting and helped move furniture for me to make it a little easier. Once I ran the vacuum throughout the room twice, we moved on to the kitchen for lunch.
Esme talked to me about her life with Carlisle and she spoke with nothing but love in her voice. I hoped one day I could speak of Edward like that. I told her how we went for a walk the night before and she awed and said her son was such a romantic. I couldn't help the smile I was sporting. The more we talked about Edward the more I wanted him. I wanted him home…I missed him. I even missed his touch.
When lunch was over we moved on upstairs to clean before setting things out for dinner. Esme showed me a few recipes that Edward liked and I knew that I was going to be trying them out soon for him. When dinner was in the oven we were finally able to take a break and sat on the couch, drinking tea and talking.
"Do you have any friends? What do you do for fun?" I asked.
"Bella, you don't need friends when you have a husband. I love to cook, bake, clean, and read. That's about as fun as I get, and once you become a mother your ideas of fun changes. But now that Edward is out of the house and on his own, Carlisle and I always take a trip once a year," she said smiling.
"Edward said if I was really good we could go to the beach," I replied with a wide grin of my own.
"Oh! He will probably take you to the beach house. I love it there! Maybe I can ask Carlisle to take me as well," she said excitedly.
The idea of Esme coming to the beach with us made me even more excited.
"I've never been to the beach before."
"Oh, you'll love it! We used to take Edward there every summer. He loves the water," she said, smiling at something only she could see. "He has the most contagious laugh ever. I just love his laugh, but he doesn't laugh much anymore."
"He does," I said, more to myself than anything. "It's not often, but when he does, I can't keep the smile off my face. I do understand what you mean."
"I loved watching the two of you together yesterday. The sparkle in his eyes was an amazing sight. I haven't seen it since he was a boy," she said, lost in her memories. "He loves you so much."
"I know," I whispered, looking down at my tea.
"Are you just saying that because you think that's what I want to hear?"
"No," I said quickly. "After today…I think I really believe it."
All this talk of Edward was making me miss him. This was the longest we had ever been apart since…well, since I could remember. I could remember the way his hands felt on me. The way his smile lit up his face when I did something that made him proud. The way he held me close after I came out of the closet with whispered promises to always be with me.
"Good, because Edward is an amazing man," Esme said, bringing my attention back to her. "I just know he is going to an excellent husband and father. You will be so happy with him, I have no doubt. Give him your full trust, and he will never do you wrong. Just remember to be good; that's the key."
"He will be amazing," I agreed with a smile.
Spending the day with Esme was very eye-opening. I was feeling better about being with Edward, and from the praises I was getting from Esme all day, it made me think that I was on the right track. With her helping me complete my chores, we had extra down time, which I thought would be great. After an hour of conversing with her on the couch, though, I was going a little crazy waiting for Edward to get home. I missed him so much. I wanted to tell him how I was feeling, and I knew now that I could tell him I loved him and mean it. I just knew that was going to make him happy. After cleaning our coffee mugs, I waited by the window for him to come home. Esme told me several times to sit and relax, but I knew there was no way I could do that. As soon as I saw him pull in to the driveway, I felt like jumping up and down. I watched him get out of the car and head for the front door. Just as I rounded the corner, I heard the lock clicking.
As soon as the door was opened, I threw myself into his arms.
"I missed you," I said into his neck.
I hugged him tightly and relaxed as I felt his arms come around me.
"I missed you too, Baby. Say it," he said, kissing my ear lobe.
"You are all I have. You are all I need. You are my life, Edward. I'm so glad you're home," I said as I clung to him. He hugged me tightly to his body and hummed in content.
"It's so good to be home," he said, kissing my lips.
I smiled into his kiss, knowing how amazing it felt to be in his arms. He held me for a few minutes before letting go of me.
"Mom, you can go to my office and I'll be there in just a few minutes," he said as he took my hand.
I barely registered Esme leaving the room as he requested, leaving me alone with him for the first time today. He walked us to our room where he shut the door firmly behind us before pushing me into it roughly. I cried out in surprise, but my sounds were lost in his mouth as kissed me. His hands were all over me as his tongue invaded my mouth.
"I really hope you were good today. I would hate to have to spend the evening alone," he whispered huskily.
He didn't have to say any more. I knew what he was implying.
"Get on your side of the bed."
I did as I was told, smiling at him as he nodded in approval at my obedience. My smile immediately fell and my eyes narrowed as he brought out the cuff and attached it around my wrist so that I was cuffed to the bed.
"I'll be back."
With that, he gave me one last lingering kiss before exiting the room, leaving me completely alone for the first time today. I huffed and made myself comfortable on the bed, hoping that Edward wouldn't take too long. I needed to be able to hear the timer for dinner, otherwise it would burn.
After some time had passed, I could finally make out Edward's steps on the stairs. I sat upright and grinned, wanting to tell him about the day I had with his mother. As soon as the door opened though, my smile fell, and I watched helplessly as he stalked towards me, his eyes narrowed into slits.
"Edward?" I whispered, scared.
"Let me ask you something, Bella Cullen," he snapped. "What did I tell you about talking about your past?"
"Um..." I whispered, the blood draining from my face. I knew what he wanted me to say, but I couldn't speak.
"Um...," he said icily, pacing the foot of the bed. "I think you neglected to tell me about your yesterday."
"I was going to tell you," I whispered. "I just didn't know how. But I swear I don't know why I had such a dream!"
I rushed through my explanation, hoping against hope that it would somehow appease Edward and he wouldn't force me into the closet.
"I should lock you in the closet for not being upfront with me in the first place," Edward hissed as I immediately began to cry. "You need to forget about your past. I am your past, your present, and your future. Do you understand me?"
"Yes, Edward," I sobbed.
"Because of your direct disobedience, I've taken the next three days off of work, and my father and mother are staying here with us during that time. It seems I have been too lenient with you."
I shook and cried harder, fearful of what these next three days would entail, but more upset with myself for letting him down.
"I'm so disappointed in you, Isabella," he whispered.
I closed my eyes as the tears continued to fall. I felt a burning sensation in my chest and knew that it was my guilt eating at me for disappointing him.
"I'm so sorry," I whispered, not opening my eyes.
I couldn't bear to see the disappointment in his eyes.
"Don't go to sleep," he ordered. "I'll be right back."
I lay back against the headboard, keeping my eyes closed as I heard the bedroom door shut behind him. Sobs overtook my body, and I cried until I had nothing left to shed. I had disappointed him. I had omitted information from him, which was just as bad as lying. I let my own fear of the closet overrule my judgment. I blinked heavily against the sleep that was trying to overcome me. The room had gradually gotten darker, and soon, I wouldn't be able to see anything. There was no light left on.
I had such high hopes for how this afternoon would go, and I couldn't believe that I had messed it up so badly. I kicked my feet at the covers angrily. I had missed Edward all day, and because of my inability to be honest with him, I was now missing out on time with him: time that I had been looking forward to all day. A new round of sobs broke free as I remembered the dinner I had planned for us. I didn't hear any smoke detectors or smell burning food, so I assumed he had taken it out of the oven for me. That thought only made me cry harder.
When I was reduced to hiccups, I heard the lock turning. I hastily tried to wipe my eyes, but I knew it would be no use. I'm sure my eyes were red and swollen - a dead giveaway that I had been crying.
"Why are you crying?" Edward asked as he stepped into the room, flicking on the light.
I squinted against the sudden brightness and swallowed back my tears.
"I'm sorry," I whispered. "I'm just upset."
"Why?"
"Because I disappointed you," I said as new tears fell down my cheeks.
"You did," he agreed. "So what should your punishment be?"
I opened my mouth but no sound came out.
"Punishment?" I asked, clearing my throat as it cracked.
Edward nodded. "What do you think your punishment should be for lying?"
"I don't want the closet," I whispered, blinking against the tears that threatened to fall.
"And if I were to not put you in the closet, what other punishment should be given?" he asked.
"A spanking?" I asked, unsure.
"You would take a spanking over the closet?"
I nodded once more and looked at him pleadingly.
"Ask me for the spanking," he ordered. "Otherwise, it'll be the closet for the next three days."
I stared at him for a moment as my brain tried to digest this new turn of event.
"May I have the spankings instead?" I whispered.
Edward shook his head and I felt my heart begin to beat erratically against my rib cage.
"Ask for me to spank you for your punishment. Tell me what you did wrong, and then ask for the spanking."
"I lied to you, Edward," I began. "May I have a spanking as my punishment?"
"Again."
"I lied to you, Edward. May I have a spanking as my punishment?" I repeated.
I watched as he walked over to me and brought out the key to the cuff. I kept perfectly still as he unlocked it, but once free, immediately tried to hug him, only for him to brush me off.
"Let's get your punishment over with so we can have dinner," he said sharply.
I waited patiently as he sat at the edge of the bed before motioning me over to him.
"You know what to do. Bend over my lap and ask for me to give you your punishment."
Without being told, I unbuttoned my pants, all the while keeping my eyes trained on his to make sure I was pleasing him. With only a slight quirk of his lips to guide me, I continued until I had pushed my pants and panties down to expose my bottom to him, before walking the few steps toward him and carefully placing myself over his lap.
Without warning, his palm connected with my bare skin and I let out a scream of surprise and pain. I lost count of how many spankings he delivered after the tenth. New tears coursed down my face, and my hands gripped his jeans tightly. Finally, it seemed the raining blows were slowing down until all that was left was his hand rubbing my burning bottom.
"Have you learned your lesson?" he asked.
"Y-Yes, Edward," I hiccupped.
"Who is your past, present and future?" he asked.
"You are."
"Say it."
"You are all I have. You are all I need. You are my life, Edward. Only you are my past, present and future."
"Very good."
I adjusted as he stood me back on my feet, reaching around me to pull up my panties and pants.
"I hope for your sake that you remember that. Let's go eat dinner."
~~~~~AOMM~~~~~
Dinner was an awkward affair. Carlisle and Esme were already seated when we came down, and while Esme offered me a small smile, Carlisle openly glared at me like I had offended him somehow. I managed to hold off more tears when I noticed only one plate and one fork in front of Edward, and nothing in front of myself.
"May I have some, Edward?" I asked quietly, not wanting to break the stillness in the air.
Without saying a word, Edward scooped up some meatloaf on his fork and held it out to me. I leaned over slightly and took the bite in my mouth, my hands staying in my lap. When he held out his drink, I automatically reached for it, only to stop short when Edward cocked his eyebrow in my direction. Instead, I leaned forward again and drank as he lifted the cup for me. He pulled it away before I was finished, but I knew better than to say anything. If I was lucky, I would get more later.
Throughout the rest of the dinner, I ate what was given to me without a word. Carlisle and Edward talked occasionally, but not of anything I really understood. When everyone was finished, I stood to begin clearing the dishes, only to be stopped short as Edward gestured for me to sit back down.
"You won't be cleaning tonight," he said, shooting a look to his father. "I have something different in mind for you."
I gulped nervously and glanced to Esme automatically, looking for just a bit of comfort.
"Yes, Edward," I whispered.
Once the dishes were cleared and Esme was busy in the kitchen, Carlisle bid us goodnight.
"I'll relieve you in a few hours, son," he said vaguely before making his way to the spare bedroom.
I looked back at Edward as he picked me up like a baby and led us in the opposite direction of our bedroom. We headed for the downstairs bathroom instead.
"Here," Edward said, carrying me into the bathroom.
Once inside, he placed me on my feet. Thinking that we were going to take our showers here, I moved backwards so Edward could squeeze in behind me and turn on the water. This bathroom was much smaller than the one in our bedroom. It just barely fit the two of us comfortably. I looked on in surprise as Edward maneuvered himself down to the ground so that his back was against the cupboards of the sink, his legs spread wide.
"Sit in front of me," he demanded.
Intrigued with what he had planned, I stepped over his legs and sat down with my back against the tub, moving my legs so that they were over his.
"Say it."
"You are all I have. You are all I need. You are my life, Edward," I said immediately.
"Tell me where we met."
"We met at your convention. You came and got me from my home, bringing me back here with you because my father hated me. You have legal guardianship over me," I said, repeating back what he had told me before.
"All you need to know now is that you are mine," he said, landing a hard slap to the outside of my thigh. "I am your past, present, and future. We are engaged to be married and we will become man and wife in less than three months. Unless, of course you don't want that?" he asked.
Not get married? After we've talked about it for a while now? The idea made my heart stop.
"Of course I want to marry you!" I said, appalled. "You are all I know. You are all I have!"
"Then I suggest you get rid of those thoughts of a life before me," he hissed. "I am all you know."
I nodded and sank back against the tub once more. He was all I knew. I had no life before him.
~~~~~AOMM~~~~~
I closed my eyes for a second, only to have them snap open right away. I jolted up and realized that I had somehow managed to fall asleep for that split second when Edward stopped talking.
"You had better be listening," Edward threatened, pinching my leg.
"I am," I said immediately and sleepily, covering my mouth with my hand as I yawned loudly.
"Who are your friends?" he asked.
"I don't have any friends," I mumbled, trying to keep my eyes on his. "You are all I need."
My eyes had closed again of their own accord. With another sharp pinch to my leg, I opened them once more to see Edward running a hand over his face tiredly.
"Can we go to bed now?" I asked. "We've been at this for hours."
It had to be going on one or two in the morning at least, and Edward hadn't let me sleep at all. I was exhausted - mentally and physically.
A sharp knock on the door woke me up though. What in the world?
Edward stood and smiled at me. "I'm going to bed," he said, pointing to himself. "You, on the other hand, will be busy."
See you next week!