Chapter 17- Thank You

BPOV

What in the actual hell? Ass Saver?... Ass Saver?

Did the bump on my head give me some kind of internal turrets?

I felt a little uncomfortable, mainly from his persistent stare, but also because I was mortified at what had just gone through my head. I had no idea where that came from.

He wore a strange look on his face as he continued to fix his gaze on me, and I wasn't sure what it was. Expectant? Hopeful? I couldn't tell, he hadn't said anything else since introducing himself.

I shifted my eyes away from him, and felt Esme squeeze my hand.

"Bella, this is my son Edward. I think I've told you about him?"

I nodded at her, and when I finally managed to bring my eyes to his face, whatever expression I thought I saw earlier had disappeared.

I realized I needed to acknowledge him, and although I couldn't speak, I mouthed, "hello" as I looked up at him from under my lashes.

He cleared his throat, and removed his hands from the bed rails. He looked at the empty chair on the other side of my bed, and motioned his hand to it. "May I?"

I nodded my head, and he made his way around to sit down next to me.

I watched him as he moved toward the chair. He was a very attractive man, tall and lean. His face was all green eyes and dark wild hair, and I watched the way the muscles in his arms flexed, as he grabbed the chair and brought it a little closer to the bed and positioned himself to face me.

I was terrified he was going to launch into some kind of interrogation, and I wasn't going to know the answers. I still couldn't piece anything together, and I began twisting the blankets in my fingers anxiously.

"So, Miss Swan, is it true?" I looked up at him in a panic, wondering what he was talking about.

He gave me a lopsided smile. "I hear you're Esme's favorite new employee." I blinked at him a few times, not expecting such a benign question.

I looked at Esme with a timid smile, and nodded 'yes'.

"Well, hopefully she's not too much of a task master. You know, I lived with her in the same house for a number of years, and I know how unbearable she can be." He laughed and ducked a little, as Esme pretended to grab the pen and throw it at him across the bed.

"Oh, you stop it!"She said with a smile. I couldn't help but smile too, as I watched the exchange.

I wasn't sure what I was expecting, but it wasn't the relaxed demeanor he was displaying. He didn't seem threatening, and I felt a bit more at ease.

I was still smiling, when I turned my head back toward him, to see he had been watching me. I looked down at the blankets, and started smoothing them nervously, not sure where to look.

" I hear you're from Washington." I nodded my head again. "Never been there myself. Heard it rains a lot. You know, my best friend Emmett, he keeps telling me I need to travel more, he's mentioned there are some beautiful National Parks there. I don't know, I'm not much into camping, I think I'd rather go to a beach instead, I like the sun,...and you know what else..."

With that, I laid my head back on the pillow, and listened to him, as he talked about places he'd like to go, and things he'd like to see.

He talked for another hour, and told me about his partner Emmett, and Emmett's wife Rose, and his sister Alice, and her upcoming wedding. I learned all about her wedding itinerary, which apparently she makes them all call 'The Bible', of all things. His voice was nice, and I enjoyed listening to it.

Esme would interject here and there, and tell a funny story about Detective Cullen when he was young and challenging. "Yes, I sure had my hands full with this one at times," She chuckled, after telling a particularly funny story about him sneaking out of the house one night.

"Hey, I was an angel," He laughed again.

"You were, dear, you were. I wouldn't trade any of it for the world."

After awhile I realized how relaxed I felt. Light. For the first time since I woke up, I didn't feel anxious, and I liked it.

I was still smiling at Esme when I felt Detective Cullen's eyes on me once again, and I heard him say quietly, "Miss Swan?"

I turned my head on the pillow toward him and watched as he ran his fingers through his hair yet again.

At this rate, he won't have much left, if he keeps it up.

"I know you're confused about what happened." My smile faded somewhat.

" …...and I just want to let you know, no one is going to pressure you about anything tonight. No one is going to make you say or do anything you don't want to do. We're going to go at your pace here, ok? We will need to take a statement from you at some point, but that won't be today, or even tomorrow if you're not ready, ok? So please, relax. No one here is going to hurt you or make you do anything."

I could feel the moisture brimming in my eyes. I looked at him, and hesitantly nodded my head, as I quickly brushed away an escaping tear with my hand.

"So you don't have to worry about anything tonight, nothing at all, ok?"

With that, he stood up and said, "Well Esme, what do you say we let Miss Swan get some rest, and I'll take you home. If you're lucky, I might even buy you dinner."

Esme stood too and retrieved her purse from the chair. "That sounds lovely dear." She leaned toward me and said, "Bella, I'll come by to see you first thing in the morning, ok?" I nodded my head and she gave me a kiss on the cheek.

Detective Cullen was still standing on the other side of the bed, watching the two of us.

"Would you mind if I tagged along as well? Just to see how you're doing." I nodded my head and gave him a small smile.

He was about to walk away, when I reached out tentatively, and touched him on the the arm. He looked down at my hand, and then to my face. I reached over and grabbed the pen and notebook, and started to clumsily write with my left hand. When I finished, I turned the notebook around so he could see it.

It was two words. "Thank You".

I looked at him with a small smile as tears glistened in my eyes. He stared at the page for a moment, reading what I wrote. "You're very welcome, I enjoyed meeting you."

I watched the two of them walk toward the door, and my eyes grew heavy. I saw Esme turn and blow me a kiss before Detective Cullen guided her out. I knew I had forgotten to ask for a phone to call Angela and Jake, but I would just have to do it tomorrow. Nothing seemed important in that moment, and my whole body felt relaxed. I drifted off to sleep thinking about warm laughter and gentle green eyes.

Sooooo...What do you think? I think Edward is sweet.

My boyfriend in high school had a bad car accident and was in a coma for months. When he came out, he never regained any memories from the entire week before the accident. Let's hope Bella gets a little luckier! I'm sure Edward will do everything he can to help her get her memories back.

See you all soon!