BPOV
Thankfully, dad lets me ride home with Edward so I don't have to ride in his police car. I hate that thing.
Edward and I are fairly quiet on the way to my house, just listening to music and holding hands. When we pull in the driveway behind the cruiser, my dad beats Edward to my door. He helps me out of my seat with one hand and grabs my, for lack of a better term, butt cushion with the other, leaving me to grab Edward's outstretched arm and go inside. Walking into the kitchen, it looks like I've entered another world or at least another house. There are casserole dishes and containers of food everywhere. It looks like enough food to feed an army! Standing in front of the sink washing dishes is Esme with her caramel hair thrown up in a pony tail, wearing jeans, a faded t shirt, and a flowery apron. She looks like she just stepped out of a mom magazine.
"Bella!" She yells rushing over to hug me very gently.
"Hi Esme. What are you doing here? Did you do all of this?" I ask her, hugging her back.
"Of course I did," She tells me, "You two have to eat, and with all of your injuries you should not be standing and preparing a meal. So I called your father and told him that I had a few things for you. Once I got here I just couldn't stop cooking! I think I've made you enough to last a week or so, and I can definitely come back if need be. There are several different meal options, including plenty of soft foods for you. Each have a note taped to them with the name of the dish, the meal it should be eaten at, and reheating instructions. There are also several different kinds of cookies in the cabinet. If you have any requests I can make more, just let me know."
"Esme…this is amazing. I'm speechless." I stutter out
"It was no problem at all, sweetheart. You know that I love cooking. Now I better get home. You need to rest and I need to go home and cook dinner for my own family." She says taking off her apron and winking at me.
"Thank you so much, Esme." Charlie tells her as I go over and grab her in a tight hug.
"You're very welcome. Edward are you going to stay here for dinner?"
"No I'll be home for dinner. I just want to help Bella get settled." He tells her. Looking up at him, I frown. I didn't know that he was going to leave. I'm not sure I'm okay with it. He just smirks at me and taps my nose with his finger.
"Okay then I'll see you at home, honey. Bye everyone" she calls going outside.
"That women is like Martha Stewart and Wonder Woman combined." Charlie says.
"Yep" I agree.
"Okay Bells let's get you up the stairs to your room. I put a TV in there for you so that you don't have to come downstairs very often. Of course the bathroom's up there and I can bring you anything you want for the kitchen." He tells me, "Maybe I could get you a little fridge for your room." He says absentmindedly.
"Dad, no this is fine. The doctor said I could be up as long as I feel okay." I tell him. He doesn't need to get me all of these things that I'm only going to use for a few weeks.
"Okay, if you're sure." He tells me, "Do you think you can walk up the stairs on your own? Do you need me to carry you?" dad asks.
"I think I'll be okay. Maybe you can just walk behind me and Edward can go in front of me in case I get dizzy."
"Okay sounds like a plan." Dad says.
Edward grabs my duffel bag from the hospital and heads toward the stairs. Grabbing the back of his shirt with both hands we head up the stairs. I'm really enjoying the view of his backside in front of my face, and before I know it we're upstairs.
"Do you need to use the bathroom before going to your room? Maybe we should have had Esme stay and help you." My dad says awkwardly. He's looking everywhere except at me. Poor guy.
"No dad, I'm fine. I think I can go to the bathroom by myself anyway. There's a counter I can hold onto if I get dizzy. Maybe I can ask Alice or Esme to come over just to help me shower or change clothes."
"I'm sure they would gladly help you." Edward says.
Hmmm maybe I could convince him to help me. That thought makes me blush. Of course Edward notices my blush, but misinterprets it.
"You don't have anything to be embarrassed about, Bella. They would be very respectful and discreet." He tells me. He emphasizes "discreet" to tell me that they would block him from their thoughts of my naked body.
"Okay" I tell him quietly.
By the time we're done talking, my dad has my bed set up with extra cushions under my backside and head. He also has my nightstand set up with all of my medicine and bandages for my stitches. There's a remote on the nightstand which I assume belongs to the TV that he has set up on my desk with a DVD player and a stack of DVDs. On the other side of my bed is an unfamiliar table that he has stacked high with books and magazines.
"You didn't need to do all of this, dad"
"Well I figured since you're going to be in here the majority of the day for awhile, you would want stuff to do." He says shrugging his shoulders.
"Do you need anything or want to change before we help you lay down?" Edward asks.
"No I'm okay." I tell him and he just nods.
Edward goes around to the other side of the bed and fluffs all of my pillows for me, including the ring shaped one for my bum, while my dad pulls back my covers and helps me lay down. I have to shift around a little bit so that I'm comfortable without weight on my tailbone.
"Are you okay?" my dad asks.
"Yeah I'm comfortable, well as comfortable as I can get."
"Okay well the nurse said you can have more pain medicine when you eat dinner. Is there anything specific you want to eat? I'm pretty sure you have a lot of choices." I just laugh.
"No dad, surprise me." I tell him.
"Okay." He says turning to leave the room, but quickly turns back around, "Edward isn't your mom expecting you?" he asks with a raised eyebrow.
"Yeah Chief Swan. I should go." He says holding in a laugh.
Leaning down to kiss my cheek, he whispers "I'll be back."
"I'll see you tomorrow, Edward. I love you." I tell him loud enough for my dad to hear.
"I love you too." He says and winks before leaving.
Dad just grunts and follows him downstairs.
My head is starting to ache so I just close my eyes and lean back on my pillows. I'm too hungry to sleep, but it's nice to rest my eyes. The doctor said that my head might hurt for a little while because of how hard it hit the cement, not to mention the pain from the stitches.
A few minutes later my dad comes in carrying a tray for me.
"Esme made special meals for you since you're on a soft food diet. Tonight it's chicken noodles and mashed potatoes. Once you finish that there's some pudding for dessert."
"Thanks dad."
He helps me sit up and puts pillows behind my back to make it more comfortable before putting the tray on my lap.
"Just holler if you need me Bells. There's a game football game starting in a few minutes. The Seahawks better step up their running game or we're going to get crushed." He tells me with a frown.
"Okay dad. Enjoy your game. I'll probably go to sleep after I eat. My pain meds make me sleepy and I need to take some."
"Okay don't forget to change your bandage, and let me know if you need help…changing clothes..or something." He tells me.
"Okay." I giggle.
"Goodnight Bells. Just put the tray on your table when you're done and I'll grab it later."
"Goodnight dad. Love you."
"Love you too, B." He says and goes downstairs closing my door behind me.
Esme really should be a chef. This food is amazing. I still don't understand how she can cook this way when she doesn't even eat.
When I'm finished I reach to put it on my table and a white hand reaches out to help me. Our eyes meet and I smile at him.
"Hi" I say
"Hello love. Did you have a good dinner?" he asks setting my tray on the table and taking a seat next to me in bed.
"Yeah. I need to take my pain medicine. I'm supposed to take it after I eat."
"Okay I'll get it. Are you hurting?"
"Yeah my head is pounding."
"I'm sorry sweetheart. Here you go." He says handing me my pills and my glass of water.
'Thank you."
"No problem. Is there anything I can do?" He's frowning and I hate it.
"Just hold me please. The medicine will kick in soon." I tell him.
"I can definitely do that." He says scooting under the covers with me and holding me against his chest. I love the way my body molds to his. We're two pieces that were meant to fit together.
After a few minutes my headache starts lightening up.
"It's getting better now, but I don't want to move." I tell him nuzzling into his muscular chest.
"You don't have to love." He says.
I just sigh and lean up.
"I have to change my bandage before I go to sleep." I tell him
"Do you want my help? I have gone to medical school."
"Yeah sure."
He helps me sit up so he can see the cut on my hairline.
"This might hurt a little." He murmurs pulling back the current bandage. It pinches a little but not too badly.
"It looks good. The skin is pink and healthy, no signs of infection. How does it feel?"
"Okay. A little itchy."
"That's normal." He tells me grabbing an antiseptic wipe. "This may sting some. Tell me if it does."
At the first wipe I jump and wince.
"I'm sorry love, I'll try to be more gentle."
"It's okay." I tell him.
After a few swipes he's done and he replaces it with a new clean bandage. He places a sweet kiss on my forehead right under the cut.
"You're all done", he murmurs.
"Thank you."
"I'd do anything for you, Bella." He says sweeping the wrappings and trash into the trash can by my bed.
As he tries to climb into bed with me, I stop him.
"Is something wrong love?" he asks me confused.
"Um I need to go to the restroom, and when I'm done could you help me change into my pajamas?"
"Are you…um…sure? I can call Alice. It's no problem." He stammers.
"Actually I would rather have you…but if it makes you uncomfortable I'll call Alice." I tell him.
"No it's..uh..fine. Do you need help getting to the bathroom?"
"No I don't think so." I tell him standing up. I'm a little dizzy and start to sway so he steadies me.
"I think we've found how this medicine affects you, Bella." He says concerned.
"Oh good more challenges to my balance" I murmur heading to the bathroom. Edward just chuckles behind me.
After I do my business and wash my hands, I head back to my room. Edward is sitting on my bed literally twiddling his thumbs looking deep in thought.
"Hey" I say and he jumps up like I surprised him. I thought it was impossible to sneak up on a vampire.
"Hi" he stutters back.
I just smile and head to my dresser. There's an awkward silence as I pick my nightgown for tonight. I choose a floor length black silk nightgown. It's spaghetti strapped so it should be easy to get over my head without catching my stitches.
When I turn around Edward's watching me with dark eyes.
"Are you ready?" he asks huskily and I just nod at him.
"It hurts to raise my arms all the way so can you just lift my shirt and I'll maneuver my arms around?" I ask him trying to get past some of the awkwardness.
"Don't worry, love, I'll help with whatever you need." He tells me.
Grabbing the hem of my shirt he lifts it to my breasts and I slide my arms out so he can lift it off of my head. Suddenly I wish I had something sexier on than my plain white cotton bra with polka dots on it, but when I look at him his eyes are locked on my bruised ribs. He runs his fingers along my bruises so gently that I can barely feel it.
"I'm so sorry love." He whispers. I don't know how to respond so I just stand there.
Suddenly he drops to his knees and lays soft kisses to my abdomen.
"Never again." He says, "I'll never let you get hurt like this again."
"Edward it wasn't your fault. It's okay." I tell him running my fingers through his hair.
He stands and looks intently into my eyes for a minute.
"We should do your pants now, love." He whispers.
Hooking my thumbs into my sweatpants, I push them down a little. Edward seems to know exactly what to do as he protects my tailbone and helps slide them down my legs. I can't bend over because of my ribs. He kneels again to help me pull them off of my feet. I hold to his shoulders while lifting one foot at a time. Once they're off, he looks back up at me and I try to hide my blush. His face is now in front of my panties. I wish I would have worn cute ones. He runs his cool fingers up and down my legs causing goosebumps before planting a wet kiss on my right thigh and stands up.
"Once you're better, we're going to be in that position again for a completely different reason love. I can't wait." He groans huskily in my ear.
Swallowing hard, I say "I think I would like that." Wow Bella. Lame!
"Oh I'm sure you would, and so would I." He chuckles darkly in my ear and I shiver.
The moment is broken when I start to sway again.
"Lets get you into bed, love, you need to rest." He tells me.
Yeah like I can sleep now.
I turn around so my back is to him and move my hair over my shoulder.
"Can you undo my bra? I can't reach my arms back there."
He doesn't answer but soon I feel his cool fingers on my back as he unhooks my bra and I breathe a sigh of relief. I swear the person who invented bras was a masochist.
The straps are still on my shoulders and I put my hand over the cups to keep them in place. Edward caresses my bare back with his cool fingers and I almost purr with pleasure. Using one finger he pushes one strap off of my shoulder and then the other while laying soft, wet kisses as he goes. I gain a little bravery and let go with my hand letting my bra hit the floor. Edward is laying kisses along my shoulders and neck. I'm sure he got a peek, but before I can turn around and face him, he puts my nightgown over my head. Gently helping my arms through, he pulls it down to my feet ghosting his hands along my sides as he goes.
"I can't see you like that, love. Not yet. I won't survive seeing your gorgeous naked body and not doing anything about it."
"Why can't you do anything?" I ask him.
"Love, you're injured. I would love nothing more than to move to the next step with you but not when you're hurt. I want to love you with complete abandon and I wouldn't be able to do that if I was worried about hurting you."
"It's okay Edward." I tell him turning to face him and putting my arms around his waist. "Soon" I say and peck him on the nose. He grins at me.
In less than a second, he's swept me up into his arms and crawled into bed with me. Making sure that I'm laying on his chest on my uninjured cheek, he kisses my head.
"I'll watch over you tonight, love, so you don't injure your cheek." He tells me.
"Thank you. I love you." I mumble to him. My medicine is really hitting me.
"I love you too. Sweet dreams."